---
type: tutorial
title: Prepare your dev environment
description: |-
  Tutorial: Build your first Astro blog —
  Install the local tools that you’ll need to complete the tutorial
i18nReady: true
---
import Badge from '~/components/Badge.astro';
import Checklist from '~/components/Checklist.astro';
import Box from '~/components/tutorial/Box.astro';
import MultipleChoice from '~/components/tutorial/MultipleChoice.astro';
import Option from '~/components/tutorial/Option.astro';
import PreCheck from '~/components/tutorial/PreCheck.astro';
import { Steps } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';

<PreCheck>
  - Install any tools that you will use to build your Astro website
</PreCheck>

## Get the dev tools you need

### Terminal

You will use a **command line (terminal)** to create your Astro project and to run key commands to build, develop, and test your site.

You can access the command line through a local terminal program for your operating system. Common applications include **Terminal** (MacOS/Linux), **Command Prompt** (Windows), and **Termux** (Android). One of these will probably already be on your machine. 

### Node.js

For Astro to run on your system, you will also need to have [**Node.js**](https://nodejs.org/en/) installed, version `v18.14.1` or later.

To check to see whether you already have a compatible version installed, run the following command in your terminal:

```sh
node -v

// Example output
v18.14.1
```

If the command returns a version number higher than `v18.14.1`, you're good to go!

If the command returns an error message like `Command 'node' not found`, or a version number lower than `v18.14.1`, then you need to [install a compatible Node.js version](https://docs.npmjs.com/downloading-and-installing-node-js-and-npm).

### Code Editor

Additionally, you will need to download and install a **code editor** to write your code. 

:::tip[We'll use...]
This tutorial will use **VS Code**, but you can use any editor for your operating system.
:::

<Steps>
1. [Download and install VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/#alt-downloads) or another code editor of your choice. 
</Steps>


<Box icon="question-mark">

### Test your knowledge

Which of the following is...
1. A code editor, for making changes to your files and their content?

    <MultipleChoice>
      <Option>
        web browser
      </Option>
      <Option>
        Terminal
      </Option>
      <Option isCorrect>
        VS Code
      </Option>
    </MultipleChoice>

2. An online version control provider for your repository?

    <MultipleChoice>
      <Option isCorrect>
        GitHub
      </Option>
      <Option>
        Terminal
      </Option>
      <Option>
        VS Code
      </Option>
    </MultipleChoice>

3. An application for running commands?
    <MultipleChoice>
      <Option>
        GitHub
      </Option>
      <Option isCorrect>
        Terminal
      </Option>
      <Option>
        web browser
      </Option>
    </MultipleChoice>

</Box>

<Box icon="check-list">
## Checklist for moving on

<Checklist>
- [ ] I can access the command line in a terminal.
- [ ] I have Node.js installed.
- [ ] I have a code editor like VS Code.
</Checklist>
</Box>


### Resources

- <p>[FreeCodeCamp.org](https://freecodecamp.org) <Badge>external</Badge> — a free educational site with full courses or quick refreshers in HTML, CSS, JS, and more.</p>
